Air France strike hits Paris flights

Travellers are advised to postpone their flights until February 27 as chaos strikes airports.

Around half of Air France’s long-haul flights from Paris have been cancelled and many short-haul flights are being grounded due to a strike by pilots and ground staff over pay.

The airline is now advising passengers to postpone their journeys until February 27 at no extra cost, hinting at more travel chaos in the coming days.

Flights are also being grounded around the country including at airports such as Toulouse and Lyon.

Despite the chaos, Air France says it will guarantee 75% of its flights, focusing on getting 75% of its medium-haul flights and 85% of its short-haul flights to and from Charles de Gaulle operating as normal.

But disruptions and delays should be expected. Transavia and Hop! flights are not impacted but Joon’s flights are.

Working longer for less
The airline estimates that 28% of its employees are joining the strike as they demand a 6% across-the-board salary rise. They are also angry at thousands of job cuts in the last few years, while existing jobs have been made longer and more difficult.

Meanwhile, Air France-KLM Group posted a 42% rise in operating profit in 2017 to €1.49 billion.

The management are offering an increase of just 1% in two instalments plus a number of incentives, which the protesters reject.